Sixteen graduates of College of the North Atlantic (CNA) were presented with Governor General Academic Medals today at Government House during a ceremony hosted by His Honour the Honourable Frank Fagan, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, and attended by MHA Dan Crummell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, and CNA’s President and CEO, Ann Marie Vaughan.
The medals were awarded to CNA graduates for achieving the highest overall average upon completion of their diploma-level program in 2013. Awarded since 1873, the Governor General’s Academic Medal is one of the most prestigious awards a student in a Canadian educational institution can receive.
“I am delighted to present these awards to such a dedicated and enthusiastic group of young professionals,” said His Honour. “While the strength of a student is not only based on academic achievement, I believe it is the very foundation from which all careers are built. I know each of today’s recipients will continue to strive for excellence in their future endeavors.”
President Vaughan says the awards represent the strong commitment of both the students and their instructors.
“I am reminded daily of the wonderful work our students do in demonstrating their knowledge and contributing to the community. The Governors General’s medal showcases how many of them lead by example academically – making exemplary contributions in the learning environment,” said President Vaughan. “College of the North Atlantic is thrilled that they will be recognized by the Lieutenant Governor today.”
Recipients of the 2013 Governor General’s Academic Medal included: Alison Pretty, Office Administration – Executive; Camellia Penney, Office Administration; Cindy Kendall, Office Administration; Matthew Faulkner, Natural Resources Technician; Kristina Osmond, Business Administration – Accounting; William Smith, Business Administration – Accounting; Devina Horlick, Office Administration – Executive; Eileen Pieroway, Early Childhood Education; Elizabeth Dugan, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technician; Margaret J. Turner, Renovation Technician; Michelle Chubbs, Office Administration – Executive; Scott Byrne, Mining Technician; Frances Webb, Office Administration – Executive; Kumi Stoddart, Textiles: Craft & Apparel Design; David Kevin Stacey, Electronics Engineering Technology – Biomedical; Sherry Simms, Office Administration – Executive.
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Media Contact:
Roger Hulan
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7938
roger.hulan@cna.nl.ca |
Peter Noel
Private Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor
(709) 729-4045
peternoel@gov.nl.ca
|
BACKGROUNDER
Governor General’s Academic Medal
Lord Dufferin, Canada’s third Governor General after Confederation, created the Academic Medals in 1873 to encourage academic excellence across the nation. Over the years, they have become the most prestigious award that students in Canadian schools can receive.
For more than 125 years, the Governor General’s Academic Medals have recognized the outstanding scholastic achievements of students in Canada. They are awarded to the student graduating with the highest average from a high school, as well as from approved college or university programs. Pierre Trudeau, Tommy Douglas, Kim Campbell, Robert Bourassa, Robert Stanfield and Gabrielle Roy are just some of the more than 50,000 people who have received the Governor General’s Academic Medal as the start of a life of accomplishment.
Today, the Governor General’s Academic Medals are awarded at four distinct levels: Bronze at the secondary school level; Collegiate Bronze at the post-secondary, diploma level; Silver at the undergraduate level; and Gold at the graduate level. Medals are presented on behalf of the Governor General by participating educational institutions, along with personalized certificates signed by the Governor General. There is no monetary award associated with the Medal.